Blood pressure test
Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer. With a manual blood pressure monitor, a cuff is tied around the upper arm and inflated so as to momentarily stop the blood flow. When the air is released, the blood pressure is monitored. At this point, two measurements are taken. Systolic blood pressure is the reading when the heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure is the reading when the heart relaxes between beats. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury(mm Hg). Hypertension or high blood pressure sometimes does not manifest in obvious symptoms and work as a silent killer. Electronic or digital blood pressure monitors use a microphone to detect the pulsing of blood through the artery. This monitor gives you a reading of pulse and blood pressure.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension is a medical term for abnormally high blood pressure. When the blood pressure readings consistently show elevated readings over a period of time, hypertension is the resultant condition. Normal blood pressures hovers around the range of 120/80 mmHg. Pre-hypertension is a Situation when your blood pressure hovers around 130 for systolic pressure and between 80 and 89 for diastolic pressure. Factors that can affect blood pressure are many - salt content of the body, volume of water in the body and the condition of the kidneys, nervous system and blood vessels.
It is essential not to ignore signs of hypertension since it increases the strain on the heart and lead to stroke or heart attack. Secondary hypertension is noticed among 5% of the people. The causes can be linked to kidney disease or adrenal gland disease or even narrowing of the aorta. It is sometimes seen due to use of steroids, contraceptive pills. Hypertension induced by pregnancy or pre-eclampsia is another cause for secondary hypertension among women.
Hypertension is known to run in families and chances of your developing hypertension are high if your close relatives suffer from it. Other causes of hypertension are obesity and excess stress. Those who consume large quantities of alcohol or salt are also at higher risk of getting hypertension.
Symptoms of hypertension
- Crushing chest pain
- Heart failure
- Tiredness and confusions
- Nosebleed
- Irregular heartbeat
Tackling hypertension
If you are obese, it is necessary to lose weight and make dietary changes. Decrease levels of fat and sodium. A modest restriction of salt may decrease blood pressure. Instead increase the proportion of fiber, fruits and vegetables. Limit your alcohol intake to one or two glasses a day. Introduce exercise into your daily routine to treat hypertension. Regular, moderate aerobic exercise can modestly decrease blood pressure and has many other beneficial effects. Gradual weight loss through modified calorie intake and increased physical activity is a good approach.
Tilt table test
Tilt table test is a diagnotic test that is conduced on patients suffering from symptoms such as sudden drop in blood pressure. Patients suffering from symptoms such as fainting spells or severe lightheadedness may be asked to go through the tilt table test to check changes in postural hypotension. The tilt table test can throw light on unexplained fainting spells. During a tilt table test, the blood pressure is monitored with respect to its response to stress of gravity. Syncope is caused by unusual body response to position changes. Patients undergoing tilt table test are connected to ECG-type machine and IV line too. Isoproterenol or similiar drugs are used during the tilt table test. It is essential that the physician is informed of any medications such as appetite suppressants and sleeping pills. The patient is monitored in supine position and later in sitting position. Any symptoms of dizziness or vertigo are noted. Abnormal results of tilt table test are indicative of abnormality of blood pressure regulation.
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